Monday 25 March 2013

Purpose, meaning and hope

The wonderful Tabitha of bourbon and pearls recently coined this phrase and it spoke volumes to me, i have been formulating what to do with myself over the last 9 months, since you last heard from me properly - life was very stressful workwise last year and to be fair, now that things are on a more even keel, it functions well without me - i no longer feel any great meaning or purpose from it, i will always do what i have to because it provides us with a good std of living but mr does a bloody brilliant job and it is more his baby - what was both of ours - really is now more his and he gets a lot of satisfaction from which is kind of the way it should be.

Which brings me back to me ....  As those of you will know from past posts i have been designing and working with a tailor for the last year, what you may not know is that post leaving school i attended fashion college and trained as a designer with pattern cutting and tailoring as skills - this was a long time ago but i did for my early 20's follow this path and then left it behind one way or another and life went a different way but i have always kept up the skills privately.

The last year has honed them, reminded me how things should be done and re-awakened my great love of design.  Hence i have invested a small fortune with amazon and re-visited a ton of skills with book after book.  The upshot is that this year i have been doing the construction and pattern cutting myself - and although it really hurts my brain - i find i can do it again.  It was suggested to me that i start a collection by various persons last year and this and then i arrived at the above mentioned post and everything that was processing for quite some time became a lot more clear and solid,  so i decided to to finally start a new business, build a brand and work on a collection - pheww!!  I have re-launched the blog to share and soundboard this journey, see the designs working in flesh and photo, thereby adapting and perfecting them and to record my thoughts and visions.

Next post i will be discussing the collection i am working on and the brand i want to build.

And the fact that as a well established business woman i see absolutely no way whatsoever of making a profit - this indeed is my stumbling block - business for love and not money - a whole new concept - who knows?? xxx










And as for Frankie - he will be back with some mr pics next week - bless! xx

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Hopefully those pics will be a little brighter - the sun was actually shining ....

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Trousers by me, coat Lanvin, hat bates. shoes miu miu, bag chanel, blouse chloe


28 comments:

  1. Oh Claire, that is such wonderful news! I was one of those voices constantly haranguing you, I think you have a real talent and flair and am grinning and wishing you every success!

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  2. thank you so much Tabitha - grinning too xx

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  3. I think this is the best way... When you can follow your dreams and heart without having to stress over financial side of things - the latter can easily take away any strength and inspiration. The coat is absolutely gorgeous and I cannot wait to see and hear more about your new collection!
    x

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    1. So true - thanks Natalia for the encouragement x

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  4. Good on you for believeing in your abilities and talent.

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  5. I love your style - you will do a splendid job with your collection! (Love that coat). I understand completely where you are at - I think this past year was really hard and stressful work-wise for many people, and work is just that - work. It goes on with you and without you. Good for you for sticking it out as long as you did and I'm thrilled you are getting your design mojo back!

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  6. Thanks LR - really great comment x

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  7. Very chic! Loving the maroon coat.


    Xx,
    www.SACOSHA.com

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  8. We should all be following your fine example on the 'purpose, meaning and hope' front. Can't wait to see more. Best of luck with the new venture!

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    1. Thank you so much - very nice to think of myself setting example - and all luck warmly welcome - have a good weekend x

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  9. Maybe no Frank but what about beautiful Marmite basking in the sun beside you?? It is so nice to see lighter colours mixed with the more wintery ones of your coat and hat. We don't have to wear black, navy and dark brown when it is winter, the colour of the coat and hat is so rich, love it. Wish you lots of success with your new venture - I now understand better why I have heard so little from you!! Luv, M xx

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    1. Marmite is always beautiful - lovely old boy - thanks x

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  10. I was thinking about your blog the other day and said "I feel like I haven't read Fashion and Frank forever". I just got a chance to check in and I see you took a little blog vaca... sometimes it's much needed! I'm excited for your new chapter and wish you all the luck in the world! You have amazing style and you are clearly very talented. You'll do great!

    xx-the paperdoll

    lifesizepaperdoll-ta.blogspot.com

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  11. Such a stunning look! Very nice. Loving the deep colour of the coat in contrast of the rest of the outfit.

    Do stop by my blog and let me know what you think.

    x Mariana | www.goingteen.blogspot.com

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    1. thanks mariana - i will when i have a spare mo x

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  12. Well Claire, I cannot wait to see more on this- you have such impeccable style that I am sure it will be a success!

    Happy Easter to you and your family!

    xx P

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  13. Hooray, I am jumping up and down with happiness to hear your news. You have laid a great foundation and now have experience both as a business woman and a designer. I am certain you will this time bring the two together with success.
    Really looking forward to seeing what you have been work on since I saw you last.
    (Didn't move this weekend after all - lawyers....it should be soon though.)
    Xxxx

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    1. Hey Dvora - so lovely to bump into you yesterday and thanks so much for all your great words of encouragement - you were def one of those pushes and i am sooo pleased you did xx

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  14. You have great style. I'm a big fan of women who wear color & hats well as you do. Trews look nice too. Wishing you every success on the new venture.

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  15. Claire, I'm so happy for you...congratulations on this decision! I imagine it was not easy to find a new path, but you have such a great drive and creativity that I'm sure will guide you in this new chapter! I think there is nothing better than being able to work for passion! All the best and looking forward to hearing more about the collection! Caterina

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    1. thanks so much Caterina and you are so right - when working for passion it really doesnt feel like work - have a good week xx

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